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In a bid to develop a viable industry, stakeholders in the local reggae and dancehall music genre will meet for the inaugural Zimdancehall Summit next month.
This is a time where the genres seems to be losing grip due to lack of professionalism and absence of fresh ideas to break into the international market.
The summit will be held on 28 June which will have musicians, music producers, managers, DJs and promoters among others discussing challenges in the genre and the way to stay relevant.
One of the organisers Plot Mako said the summit will bring together key players in the dancehall and reggae music genre to dialogue and map the way forward for the genre in the country.
Zimdancehall has long been marred with controversy and lack of professionalism with some of the artists double-booking shows and turning up late for performances. Some of the top artists do not even bother showing up, or turn up for concerts intoxicated.
“The summit came out of the need to see sanity prevail in the popular genre whose impact is starting to slow down and also help create an industry that can build careers for artists, producers, marketers, DJs and many others involved,” said Mhako
Topics of discussion will be the genre’s foundation and current situation, creating an industry and social impact.
“Our main goal is uniting stakeholders to review the state of Zimdancehall, explore challenges, develop solutions, synergies in order to create an economically viable industry which is socially responsible and sustainable,” said Mhako.
The summit is a brainchild of United Kingdom based promoter Sonny Chibuwe, artist manager and event consultant Godfrey Bakasa a.k.a Vokal, media and marketing specialist Diana Elisha Nheera and cultural activist Mhako.
“ZimDancehall has grown beyond an art form but is now a culture and has the potential to bloom or follow the Urban Grooves or Sungura route,” said Mhako.
Mhako extended an invitation to players in the genre to come and engage in meaningful discussions that will advance the emerging culture. Speakers will be announced in two weeks.
Online Reporter